Internal pedicle shield

Abstract

A pedicle insulator implant is designed to protect the nerves and surrounding tissue from injury by pedicle screws or other surgical devices and instruments. In its basic structure, the implant has a thicker section and a thinner section, the thicker section providing protection for nerves and other sensitive tissues while the thinner section can be deformable and provides grip. In one variation of the basic structure, the thinner section possess a rough surface when it is desirable in situations to provide further grip of the assembly and prevent rotation during the insertion of, for example, a pedicle screw.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A pedicle insulator implant, implantable in a vertebral body of a spine, comprising:
 a non-continuous cylindrical wall defining an interior cavity and having a first end and a second end; 
 a first segment of the cylindrical wall comprising a smooth exterior surface; and 
 a second segment of the cylindrical wall comprising a rough exterior surface, wherein:
 i) the first segment of the cylindrical wall is of a greater thickness than the second segment of the cylindrical wall; and 
 ii) the first segment comprises a first material and the second segment comprises a second material, 
 
 whereby the pedicle insulator implant is configured to shield a fixture, reduce nerve root irritation, and diminish loosening of the fixture, when the fixture is implanted into a vertebral body. 
 
     
     
       2. The pedicle insulator implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first material and second material are biocompatible or bioinert materials. 
     
     
       3. The pedicle insulator implant of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is more ridged than the first material. 
     
     
       4. The pedicle insulator implant of  claim 1 , wherein the rough surface comprises threads, protrusions, teeth, barbs, fins, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       5. The pedicle insulator implant of  claim 4 , wherein the rough surface comprises substantially triangular-shaped protrusions. 
     
     
       6. The pedicle insulator implant of  claim 4 , wherein a portion of the second segment of the cylindrical wall overlaps a portion of the first segment of the cylindrical wall, extending into the interior cavity. 
     
     
       7. The pedicle insulator implant of  claim 6 , wherein the fixture is a pedicle screw. 
     
     
       8. The pedicle insulator implant of  claim 7 , wherein a distal end of the implant is annularly tapered.